Most of us have seen a pearl. It is a very unique gem, as it is the only precious jewel that is of animal origin. It is formed by the pearl oyster which is very ordinary in appearance. Little would we suspect that within, this coarse looking mollusk could house anything so beautiful as a pearl. In its natural habitat at the bottom of shallow seas, the oyster encounters many enemies that prevent it from reaching maturity. Not all
those that do survive contain pearls, it is only the sick oysters that develop the pearls. Somehow a grain of sand or other foreign substance has gotten within the mantle of the oyster. This is very irritating to the host who is unable to expel it. In order to counteract this irritation the bi-valve secretes a nacreous material that builds up around the irritation. Tt continues to build up until the oyster is harvested.
At harvest time the oysters are brought up from the floor of the ocean. Sometimes they are opened on the boat, other times they are taken back to the shore, and spread out to decay. Later the waste material is removed and the pearls carefully extracted. The pearls are then sorted and graded. Their value depends on a certain standard set-up, which includes color, size and shape.
If we were to examine carefully one of these pearls, we would discover that it will reflect as well as absorb light. We would find that it is not hard and consequently is easily marred or scratched. Hot water or chemicals will dull its brilliance. Pearls require the touch of life to keep their brilliance. They get “sick and die” when not worn for a long time.
Jesus used the pearl in one of his parables as found in Matt. 13: 4546. “The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls : Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it”.
We are merchants who have searched and found a goodly pearl, the truth. The truth is a rich possession. Because of it we have many advantages. We have a hope of eternal life from which we derive comfort and joy in proportion to the intensity of our faith. We need not fret that the world is in danger of destruction, because we know that God has promised something much better for this earth and man upon it. The day is soon coming when there will be no more war and strife, but peace and righteousness.
We also have the opportunity to communicate with God. We have contact with an eternal source of strength. If we become discouraged we can take our burden to one who can and will help us and strengthen us. Though all else fails us and everything seems lost, He is there to help. All we have to do is come to him in humility desiring help. It is like a telephone. We need but dial, tune in, and God will answer.
In many ways we are like an oyster trying to produce a pearl. We are sick. Only the sick produce the pearl. Jesus said he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. We must realize our complete sinful nature before we can be bearers of the truth. We live in unlovely surroundings, dwelling among many enemies that would pluck this pearl from us. We have no external beauty, and from a casual glance, no one would suspect that within is a beauty that God desires. Our beauty is hid with Christ, and will be revealed at the harvest.
As the oyster forfeited his life that the pearl might be extracted, so Christ has given his life that we might produce jewels for the Lord.
Soon comes the harvest. Some of the oysters have been taken to shore and spread out to decompose; others are cut open on the boat. A fitting parallel to the resurrection. Some there have decomposed in the earth, others have not seen death.
We must ask ourselves what kind of pearl will the Lord find in us? The pearl can absorb and reflect light. Have we absorbed the light of God’s word, and do we reflect it to others by words and in actions ? Has our pearl lost its luster because of too close contact to the activities of the world? Pearls require the touch of life. Is the kingdom of God a real part of our life ? Is it always apparent to others with whom we come in contact ? Do we plan our daily schedule around our service to the Lord, or do we plan our daily activities and if there is any time left over give it to the Lord? Many times we neglect, or excuse ourselves from some work in the truth, or do a poor job. There is no excuse, for we are creatures of choice and what we do, we do because it was what we chose to do. Jesus will not listen to excuses because he will know that we did what we wanted to. If we miss a meeting usually it was because we wanted to do something else. If we failed to visit an ailing brother or sister, we failed because we did riot really care to make the sacrifice. The hundred and one things that we do or fail to do are done because that is what we chose. It is important to think these things through and to consider before we make a choice, the choice that will most glorify God.
The harvest day is close, and Jesus is coming back to gather up his jewels. May he find a large pearl, glowing with brilliance within each of us.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One